We were having this company function and lunch was buffet style. Somehow, the buffet queue evolved into something like the diagram below, with people taking food from one side and queuing up on the other side. I whispered to my colleague, asking how come the queue become like that, and I sort of suggested having 2 lines would be more efficient. But being a small fry, I didn't …

Last year I talked about this gas saver net here on this blog. I thought it is only ethical to highlight if something is not right about something you have mentioned. Ok, this gas saver net (or energy saving ring or whatever they call it) is not safe for use. Earlier this month, the Bureau of Standards, Metrology & Inspection, Taiwan ordered a recall of all such device. It …

Went to watch Postgal Collection, a 60 minutes show under the Animation Nation 2010. Postgal Workshop(貓室) is an animation company based in Hong Kong and their works have won various accola …

The new PE magazine has revamped their Q&A section into a more fun and visual design. In the November issue they talked about the interesting relation between engineers and their mobile phones. 70% of the engineers interviewed does not own a touchscreen phone, citing that they like the button feel (which I totally share). 75% does not access work email via mobile phone, cos …

My favourite magazine Professional Engineering has gotten a new look. I have been reading it since university days and this is the 3rd look I've seen. After the latest change it looks more and more classy like a lifestyle magazine than some dull engineering periodical. I am enjoying it bit by bit and let me share some damn-good quotes from the November issue: engineers don't …

And so, an intern came to my company. Since I am the newest guy around in the section, ie The Expendable whose absence won't impede the daily operation, I was tasked to take charge of this intern. This intern is studying mechanical engineering in this university in the Southern Hemisphere. I happen to have bad experience with people who happened to be from that university. …

This morning's Chinese Newspaper ran a report on how this mother committed suicide a few times cos of her schooling son. While the mother was in hospital, the son even invited his friends over to his house to play. The report also referenced the recent violent cases involving youngsters in Singapore, and highlighted what some schools are doing to "help" these problem kids. I …

Less than half a year into the job, I found myself on the other side of the interview table. To be very frank, if I was on the other side, ie, the interviewed, I wouldn't have passed it. That sounds unfair, right? The unqualified trying to qualify others. That's why I was taking the sideline, only asking questions pertaining to background experience. Back on this side of …

Now that I am (officially) past my childhood, when I look back I realize I had a very lucky one. I had a 3-D View-Master, I had a 1st generation Game Boy, I had Lego, I had GI Joe figures, I had a 286 personal computer that needed a DOS disk to boot, I had a Nintendo Game & Watch, Gundam models, etc etc. I remember feeling envious when other kids had Nintendo Famicom or …

Went to catch the 63rd International Rugby 7s held at the Singapore Cricket Club last weekend. I am not a rugby fan at all, but having learned a bit of it during secondary school days sure helped to appreciate the game a little. The Padang was transformed into a festive village, with playground for kids, beer garden, Guinness booth, and more beer booths. Basically it was …